[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 136 (Friday, July 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 38466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18158]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Historic Preservation Plan
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued the Midway Atoll
National Wildlife Refuge Historic Preservation Plan as part of its
responsibilities for the long-term management of historic properties on
Midway Atoll. This plan defines a program to integrate historic
preservation planning with the wildlife conservation mission of the
Service. By this notice, the public is informed that the plan is
available and that copies may be obtained on request to the Service.
ADDRESSES: Written requests for copies should be addressed to: U.S.A.
Fish and Wildlife Service--Pacific Islands Ecoregion, Box 50088,
Honolulu, HI 96850.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert P. Smith, Pacific Islands
Manager, telephone (808) 541-2749.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Midway's historically important buildings
and structures are primarily associated with World War II. Nine
structures specifically associated with the June 1942 Battle of Midway
were designated as National Historic Landmarks in 1986. Archaeological
and architectural studies conducted in 1993 and 1994 identified and
evaluated buildings, structures, and objects on the atoll's two main
islands and determined that an additional 69 properties were eligible
to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Base Realignment and Closure Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-510, as
amended, led to the closure of Midway's Naval Air Facility on October
1, 1993 and transfer of the property to the Service on October 31,
1996. Transition from a Naval Air Facility to a wildlife refuge
necessitated a reduction in personnel and operational facilities.
Therefore, identifying excess property was accomplished by the U.S.
Navy and the Service in consultation with the Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation (Council), the Hawaii State Historic Preservation
Officer, and interested parties. Treatment of Midway's 78 historic
properties during the Base Closure and transfer led to a Programmatic
Agreement in 1996. One of the stipulations in the agreement was for the
Service to prepare a Historic Preservation Plan for the long-term
management of historic properties.
Midway and Midway's Historic Preservation Plan are unique in
several respects: first, the plan focuses on treatment of properties
that have been previously identified and evaluated; second, some
treatment options for Midway were determined by the Programmatic
Agreement and implemented, with adverse effects mitigated by completion
of documentation for all historic properties; third, the mission
statement and primary goals of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
include preservation of historic resources. This Historic Preservation
Plan focuses on long-term management conditions and goals for
preserving and stabilizing historic properties, and recommends
procedures for treating new discoveries, caring for museum collections,
and implementing a public outreach program that includes historic
preservation.
Dated: July 9, 1999.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 99-18158 Filed 7-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
